Verrucas: "a viral pain in the foot"
Urgh, I’ve got a verruca!
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You are not alone!
About 1 in 10 people in the UK have warts or verruca at any one time and we know them well at The Verruca Clinic.
I’ve had them for ages and worry they will never go away.
I don’t want fiddly dressings or to have to keep the verruca dry when treating it.
They may spread to my other family members.
They are embarrassing!
I’ve tried loads of other treatments without success.
Can you relate to any of these?
can help
Fast
Quick treatments available
in your lunchbreak
Easy
No messy and fiddly dressings to be kept dry
Keep on
No need to stop sports,
even swimming
Whatever your concern, we at The Verruca Clinic know how these annoying lesions can affect your quality of life.
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We treat every case differently based on the individual and your lifestyle.
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But our goal is the same every time, to banish the verruca permanently so you can get on with the more important things in life.
What exactly is a verruca?
Verruca (or verrucae if you have more than one) are warts that occur on the soles of the feet or around the toe area.
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They are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which is contagious through direct person-to-person contact.
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There are various forms of HPV, which all relate to various parts of the human body. The same lesions on the fingers are simply known as 'warts'.
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​Because the virus is very stubborn, verrucae can last for months or even years. Over the counter treatments are seldom successful. Most pharmacy treatments include salicylic acid which cause a chemical burn to the skin which often makes the healthy skin around the verruca sore.
What do they look like?
They usually look like a small cauliflower-type growth on the soles of your feet with tiny black dots.
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If it is painful when you pinch the area (like when you squeeze a spot) then it is likely a verruca.
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They can grow to 1cm in diameter and may spread into a cluster of small warts.
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​They can sometimes be mistaken for a corn due to its rough surface and the thickened skin around it.
How did I catch it?
Verrucae thrive in moist, damp environments such as swimming pools, changing room floors and communal shower areas.
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It is possible to catch one simply by walking across the same floor as someone who already has a verruca, especially if you have any small or invisible cuts or abrasions that make it easier for the virus to penetrate.
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They are more common in children but can occur at any age.
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​The incubation period can be up to 12 months so the verruca may not appear immediately after contact with the virus.
Are they serious?
No, they are harmless, but can be uncomfortable and painful if they develop on a weight bearing part of the foot.
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Hard skin can form over the top of the verruca, increasing the discomfort and limiting activities.
There are also strains of the virus that spread across the hands and feet and can look unsightly.
What are the treatments?
In certain cases, verrucae will disappear of their own accord, within six months for children, but up to two years for adults. This is because the body's immune system recognises the presence of the virus and fights the infection naturally.
If your verruca is painless, no treatment may be required and in this case we advise a “tincture of time.”
However, if you feel concerned your verruca is painful, unsightly or spreading, The Verruca Clinic can help.
